Patent Application
20140328735
The present invention relates to a container for the laboratory area with a marking in the form of machine-readable data and to a method for marking such a container with machine-readable data.
It is known to provide containers for the pharmaceutical laboratory area with machine-readable data or markings. The marking serves for the clear identification of a container and makes the assignment of container-specific information to a container possible.
In the pharmaceutical laboratory area, a large amount of containers of the most varied designs are required for investigating the content in them. The content of the containers differs in most cases, and consequently an individual marking of the containers is imperative. Since a multiplicity of identical containers are usually used at the same time, the automatic detection of the marking by an optical reader is of advantage. This allows a relatively great number of containers to be sensed in a shorter time and with greater reliability. The markings should therefore take the form of machine-readable data, such as for example matrix, dot or bar codes.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,372,293 discloses a cuvette with a machine-readable marking which is arranged on the surface and consists of an opaque multiple coating. A first layer is applied to the cuvette and covered by a second layer of a contrasting colour. Clearances in the form of machine-readable data are created in the second layer. The legibility is based on the colour contrast of the two layers.
A problem with such cuvettes is that damage to the outer layer can have the effect that the marking is illegible. Moreover, the production of the cuvette is complex and consequently involves high production costs, since two different layers are applied, it also having to be ensured that a clearance is only created in the second layer.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,728 discloses a transparent cuvette with an opaque carrier part, which has a machine-readable marking, fastened thereto, the marking being a burned-in dot coding. The legibility is based on the colour contrast of the carrier part and the burned-in marking.
A problem with such cuvettes is likewise that damage to the outer layer may have the effect that the marking is illegible.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a container for the laboratory area which is provided with machine-readable data, can be produced simply and inexpensively and in which the machine-readable data can be detected reliably and well by an optical reader. This object is achieved according to the invention by a container for the laboratory area such as that specified in Claim 1. Furthermore, two methods for marking a container for the laboratory area are specified in Claims 12 and 14. Further embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.
A container according to the invention for the laboratory area has a body, in particular a body formed in one piece, and a layer that is opaque to an optical reader, applied to the body, the opaque layer having clearances in the form of machine-readable data. The body has at least one local material modification, which together with the opaque layer forms a reading area. In the reading area, the machine-readable data can be read from the outside by an optical reader on the basis of the optical contrast between the material modification and the opaque layer.
The feature that the container is suitable for the laboratory area means that the container is suitable for at least one laboratory application. This application is for example a chemical application or a pharmaceutical application. The laboratory application is preferably in the pharmaceutical laboratory area, i.e. the development of active substances, or is preferably in the diagnostic laboratory area or is preferably a diagnostic application that takes place in the home area.
Machine-readable data are data that can be detected by an optical reader and preferably cannot readily be read by a person. The machine-readable data may in particular be a matrix, dot and/or bar code.
Providing the machine-readable data directly on or in the body has the effect of producing a reliable marking that cannot be removed from the body. The opaque layer applied to the body and provided with clearances has the effect of increasing the optical contrast with respect to the marking, which has the consequence that the marking can be detected better.
The body, in particular the one-piece body, may be produced from a single material or from a number of different materials. Different materials may be used in the form of mixtures. For example, a first material may be incorporated in a second material. It is also possible for a number of different materials to be incorporated in a further different material. For example, particles of one or more materials may be incorporated in a further different material.
Optical readers usually emit light of a specific wavelength and measure and evaluate the light reflected by the irradiated object. Optical readers may have a detection range from ultraviolet (100 to 380 nm) through infrared (780 nm to 400 μm) to the microwave range (400 μm to 25 cm) of the light spectrum. The range that is visible to the human eye lies at around 380 to 780 nm. If in this document something is described as transparent, semitransparent or opaque, this in each case refers substantially to the entire wavelength range of light (100 nm to 25 cm), preferably to the wavelength range of light that is visible for a person (380 to 780 nm).
According to a preferred embodiment, the body of the container has at least one cavity that can be filled with a material, such as for example a liquid or a solid. The container is therefore then formed for the most part, and in particular substantially, by the body, in particular by the one-piece body. The opaque layer is preferably arranged on a wall that bounds the cavity, the wall preferably forming at least one partial region of the outer side of the container. The container is preferably formed as a cuvette. However, any types of containers for the laboratory area are conceivable in principle, such as for example a container formed as a microtitre plate or as a cartridge. The microtitre plate preferably has as a component part at least one cuvette according to the invention, described within the scope of this patent. A cartridge should be understood for example as meaning a container that has a cavity for receiving a reagent, in particular a reaction reagent. The cuvette according to the invention may be formed differently, depending on its use. The cuvette may be formed for example in such a way that it can be used for keeping liquids and/or solids over a short or long time, or the cuvette may for example be formed in such a way that it can be used for carrying out optical measurements. The cuvette may for example also be formed as a reaction vessel. The body of the cuvette preferably has a bottom and a surrounding, closed side wall, which on its underside runs around the periphery of the bottom. The bottom and the side wall bound an upwardly open cavity of the cuvette. The bottom may be formed such that it is concave on its inner side and planar on its outer side. The body of the cuvette may have differing dimensions. For example, if the bottom surface of the body is of a rectangular or square form, the body has a width of 2 mm (millimetres) to 105 mm and a depth of 2 mm to 105 mm and a height of 0.5 mm to 80 mm. If the body comprises a bottom surface formed as a circular area, the circular area has for example a diameter of 0.8 mm to 15 mm. The height of the body that has a bottom surface formed as a circular area is for example 0.5 mm to 80 mm. The thickness of the side wall of the body is for example 0.5 to 2 mm, preferably 0.7 to 1.2 mm. The thickness of the bottom of the body is for example 0.3 to 2 mm, preferably 0.5 to 0.8 mm. The bottom surface of the body has for example an area of 4 mm2 to 12 000 mm2.
According to a preferred embodiment, the composition of the material from which the body is produced is different from the composition of the material from which the opaque layer is produced.
In another preferred embodiment, the container is a storing or transporting rack with a multiplicity of receiving positions, in particular for receiving containers that are smaller in comparison with the storing or transporting rack, such as for example cuvettes. The receiving positions have openings that are made to match the dimensions of the smaller containers to be arranged therein. Such a smaller container may have a marking in the form of machine-readable data that is of a type similar or identical to the marking or coding of the container according to the invention. This marking may have the information about the rack in which the smaller container is arranged. The marking may likewise have information concerning the position of the smaller container in the rack. The marking of the rack may have information concerning the number and position of the smaller containers received therein. In principle, the marking of the container according to the invention may have all the data that are relevant to the laboratory operation, such as for example the type, composition or amount of the content.
In a further preferred embodiment, the container is formed as a microtitre plate.
According to a preferred embodiment, the container has a bottom, the opaque layer outside the clearances forming at least partially, preferably completely, the bottom underside of the container. The bottom underside of the container that is formed by the opaque layer is preferably formed such that it is planar. The planar underside of the container bottom makes it possible in this case that the container can be placed onto a planar underlying surface.
According to a further preferred embodiment, the container has a bottom, the body forming at least partially, preferably completely, the bottom underside of the container. The bottom underside of the container that is formed by the body is preferably formed such that it is planar. The planar underside of the container bottom makes it possible in this case that the container can be placed onto a planar underlying surface.
According to a preferred embodiment, the container has a projection, which is preferably formed by the body, for placing the container on a setting-down area.
According to a preferred embodiment, the opaque layer is permanently attached to the body.
If the machine-readable data are provided on or in the bottom, i.e. in the region of the underside of the container, i.e. if for example the opaque layer or a protective layer arranged on the opaque layer forms at least partially the bottom underside of the container, the said data are easily accessible and can be detected well by an optical reading unit arranged underneath the container according to the invention, which is for example formed as a rack or as a cuvette or as a microtitre plate. As a result, the machine-readable data can be reliably read by the optical reader. The machine-readable data are in this case advantageously read from a direction approaching perpendicular. The arrangement of the machine-readable data on or in the bottom of the container also makes possible for example a transmission of light, such as for example through a side wall of the container, for analytical purposes.
The machine-readable data may also be arranged on or in a side wall of the container. It is also possible that the machine-readable data are arranged on or in a closure means of the container which closes a cavity of the container that can be filled with material.
According to a preferred embodiment, the container has at least one surrounding, closed side wall, which on its underside respectively runs around the periphery of a bottom, the at least one side wall and the respective bottom bounding at least one cavity, preferably at least one open cavity, more preferably an upwardly open cavity.
The reading area is formed by the opaque layer, arranged on the body, and the material modification, created on or in the body. The opaque layer usually has greater dimensions than the material modification. However, it is also possible that the material modification protrudes laterally beyond the opaque layer. The good legibility of the data is based on the optical contrast between the material modification and the opaque layer. The material modification and the opaque layer preferably have a light-dark contrast, such as for example a colour contrast, which is preferably a black-white contrast. Preferably, the material modification is dark and the opaque layer light. However, light material modifications with dark opaque layers are also possible. Preferably, the material modification is black and the opaque layer white. However, white material modifications with black opaque layers are also possible. The material modification is preferably opaque. This reduces the probability of material contained in the container, such as for example a liquid or a solid, being able to influence the optical reader. These preferred embodiments that are mentioned in this section produce particularly good legibility of the data by an optical reader.
According to a preferred embodiment, the material modification is created at least by a carbonization of the material of the body or at least by a foaming of the material of the body or by at least a modification, in particular a change of colour, of particles embedded in the material, such as for example pigments. The types of material modification mentioned produce particularly good contrast. The carbonization of the material is understood within the scope of this document as meaning a burning of the material. The carbonization is brought about for example by the introduction of thermal energy, or a supply of heat, into the material, such as for example by means of a laser. In the case of the foaming of the material, air is incorporated into the material.
According to a preferred embodiment, the material modification is arranged at least in the region of the clearances. More preferably, the material modification is arranged only in a region exposed by the clearances. A material modification arranged only in a region exposed by the clearances can be produced particularly easily, such as for example by means of a laser.
According to a preferred embodiment, the body is a permanent component part of the container. This means that the body is not detachable from the rest of the container. The body may, however, also be designed in such a way that it is detachable from the rest of the container and preferably can be reattached to the container.
Particularly preferably, at least the region of the body on which the opaque layer is arranged, in particular attached, such as for example at least a partial region of the bottom of the body and/or at least a partial region of the side wall of the body, is produced from plastic. This means that the at least one local material modification results from the modification of plastic. The use of plastic makes particularly inexpensive production of the container according to the invention possible. The body is preferably produced from plastic. This allows the container according to the invention to be produced particularly easily and inexpensively. The plastic is preferably a plastic that is transparent to an optical reader. In a further embodiment, the plastic is a plastic that is transparent to the human eye. Conventional transparent plastics are for example: polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate or a cyclo-olefin copolymer, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. Containers with a body of transparent plastic have the advantage that for example the filling level or changes of material contained in the container can also be detected from the outside, through the body or container. Usually, the bodies such as those that have been described above and that form a component part of the container according to the invention are produced by the injection-moulding process.
According to a preferred embodiment, the body is formed in one piece. This allows the body, and consequently also the container, to be produced particularly easily and inexpensively.
In a preferred embodiment, the body is produced from a material that is opaque to the optical reader or opaque materials, such as for example a plastic. Material contained in the cavity of the container, such as for example a liquid or a solid, consequently cannot influence the optical reader. Opaque materials, in particular opaque plastics, are known to a person skilled in the art.
The opaque layer preferably comprises plastic or metal or ceramic or at least one coating layer or at least one film. The opaque layer preferably has a thickness of 1 micrometre to 5 millimetres, preferably a thickness of 1 micrometre to 2 millimetres. The opaque layer may be single-ply or multi-ply. In the case of a multi-ply form, the plies are preferably arranged one on top of the other. The opaque layer preferably comprises a single layer. A container according to the invention comprising a single layer can be produced particularly easily and inexpensively. An example of an opaque layer is the so-called hot stamping foil known to a person skilled in the art. Such a foil has for example a foil coloured with pigments and a bonding layer for attaching the coloured foil to the body. The hot stamping foil is applied to the body by the action of heat and pressure, the hot stamping foil thereby bonding with the body. Such hot stamping foils usually have thicknesses of 50 to 80 μm.
According to a preferred embodiment, the opaque layer is applied directly to the body. This embodiment can be produced particularly easily. The body and the opaque layer are advantageously produced altogether in one piece and in particular by the two-component injection-moulding process.
In a further preferred embodiment, a protective layer that is transparent to an optical reader is arranged on the opaque layer. This layer offers additional protection from external influences and therefore increases the reliability of the marking and the detectability of the machine-readable data. This transparent layer fills clearances that are present, in particular clearances that are present in the opaque layer, at least partially, preferably completely. The container preferably has a bottom, the transparent protective layer forming at least partially, preferably completely, the underside of this bottom of the container. The bottom surface of the container that is formed by the transparent protective layer is preferably formed such that it is planar. The planar surface of the container bottom makes it possible that the container can be placed onto a planar underlying surface.
In a further preferred embodiment, a bonding layer that is transparent to an optical reader is arranged between the body and the opaque layer. The transparent bonding layer preferably has an adhesive. The bonding layer may also be opaque. In this case, the clearances extend through the bonding layer.
In a preferred embodiment, the material modification is arranged on a surface of the body. The arrangement on the surface makes it possible for the material modification to be easily created and ensures good legibility. If the material modification is also arranged under the container surface, such as for example under the opaque layer at least partially forming the container surface, it is protected from external influences, which increases the reliability of the marking. According to a first variant, only the opaque layer is arranged on the material modification. In the case of this variant, the clearances extend through the opaque layer and protrude as far as the material modification(s). In the case of this first variant, the material of the body may be opaque or transparent. In the case of a second variant, the transparent intermediate layer on which the opaque layer is arranged is arranged on the material modification. According to a first possibility, the clearances extend only through the opaque layer. According to a second possibility, the clearances extend through the opaque layer and partially into the transparent layer. According to a third possibility, the clearances extend through the opaque layer and the transparent layer and consequently protrude as far as the material modification(s). In the case of this second variant, the material of the body may be opaque or transparent.
In a further preferred embodiment, the material modification is arranged within the body. The arrangement in the interior offers additional protection from external influences, which increases the reliability of the marking. According to a first variant, only the opaque layer is arranged on the body in the region of the material modification. According to a first possibility, the clearances extend only through the opaque layer. At least the material of the body between the material modification(s) and the surface of the body on which the opaque layer is arranged is then transparent. According to a second possibility, the clearances extend into the body. If the clearances do not extend as far as the material modification(s), at least the material of the body between the clearances and the material modification(s) is transparent. If the clearances extend as far as the material modification(s), the material of the body may be transparent or opaque. According to a second variant, the transparent intermediate layer on which the opaque layer is arranged is arranged on the body in the region of the material modification(s). According to a first possibility, the clearances extend only through the opaque layer. According to a second possibility, the clearances extend through the opaque layer and partially into the transparent layer. According to a third possibility, the clearances extend only through the opaque layer and the transparent layer. According to a fourth possibility, the clearances extend through the opaque layer and the intermediate layer and protrude into the material of the body, the clearances not extending as far as the material modification(s). In the case of the first, second, third and fourth possibilities mentioned, at least the material of the body between the clearances and the material modification(s) is then transparent, in order that the optical reader can detect the material modification. According to a fifth possibility, the clearances extend through the opaque layer and the intermediate layer and protrude as far as the material modification(s). In the case of this fifth possibility, the material of the body may be opaque or transparent.
In a preferred embodiment, the machine-readable data are formed at least partially, preferably completely, as a dot code. A dot coding can be produced particularly easily, such as for example by means of a laser.
According to a preferred embodiment, the distance at least between two neighbouring centre points of the clearances, which are preferably formed such that they are circular, in particular as a circular area, or square in cross section, in particular in the region of the externally visible surface of the opaque layer, is 0.4 millimetres or less, preferably 0.35 millimetres or less.
According to a preferred embodiment, the dimensions of the clearances, in particular in cross section, are 200 micrometres or less, preferably 175 micrometres or less, more preferably between 175 micrometres and 150 micrometres, still more preferably 150 micrometres or less. The clearances are preferably formed such that they are circular, in particular as a circular area, or square in cross section, in particular in the region of the externally visible surface of the opaque layer, and have a dimension of 200 micrometres or less, preferably 175 micrometres or less, more preferably between 175 micrometres and 150 micrometres, still more preferably 150 micrometres or less. If the clearance is formed as a circular area in cross section, the dimension is the diameter of the circular area. If the clearance is formed such that it is square in cross section, the dimension is the side length of the square.
The smaller the mentioned distance between the clearances is and the smaller the mentioned dimensions of the clearances are, the more information the reading area may have. Smallest possible distances and/or smallest possible dimensions are consequently preferred.
According to a preferred embodiment, the clearances are formed such that they are cylindrical or cuboidal, preferably as rectilinearly extending cylinders or cuboids. Cylindrical or cuboidal clearances, in particular rectilinearly extending cylinders or cuboids, can be produced particularly easily, such as for example by means of a laser.
A preferable method for marking a container for the laboratory area that is formed in particular as described above and has a body, in particular a body formed in one piece, with an opaque layer applied to it has at least the following steps in any desired sequence:
The clearances and the material modification are in this case created in such a way that the opaque layer together with the material modification forms a reading area, in which the machine-readable data can be read from the outside by an optical reader on the basis of the optical contrast between the material modification and the opaque layer.
A further preferred method for marking a container for the laboratory area that is formed in particular as described above and has a body, in particular a body formed in one piece, with at least one local material modification has at least the following step:
In the case of these methods, the creation of the clearances in the opaque layer and/or the material modification of the body is/are preferably realized by chemical and/or physical processes. A chemical process is represented for example by etching. In the case of the physical processes, for example thermal energy is introduced locally into the body to be marked, such as for example by means of a laser, or the body is deformed locally, for example by the action of force, such as for example by a stamping. The material modification of the body usually has as a consequence a change in its optical properties (transmission, absorption, reflection).
In a preferred method, the creation of the clearances at least in the opaque layer and/or the material modification of the body is/are realized by a laser. The use of a laser has the effect that the at least one layer bounding the clearances, which clearances are arranged for example in the opaque layer and optionally in the body and/or in the protective layer, is substantially not frayed, or the clearances have sharp contours. This allows good and reliable legibility of the machine-readable data by an optical reader. Usually, Nd:YAG lasers or CO2 lasers or excimer lasers are used. Preferably, Nd:YAG lasers are used. The laser brings about a local heating of the material and thus brings about a material modification. In the case of a material modification on the surface of the body, the laser beam heats up the surface when it impinges on it, and for example brings about a structural change of the material, such as for example by a carbonization of the material or by a foaming of the material. In the case of carbonization, the modified material has a different colour and/or lightness in comparison with the material of the body before the modification thereof. The modified material is usually darker in comparison with the material before the modification thereof, or in comparison with the starting material. In the case of foaming, the modified material likewise has a different colour and/or lightness in comparison with the starting material of the body. The modified material is usually lighter. In the case of a material modification in the interior of the body, a heating up of the material is achieved by the laser, for example by the focusing of a laser beam or by two crossing laser beams or by the heating up of incorporated particles. If the material in the interior heats up directly or on account of the heated particles, this may have the consequence of both carbonization and foaming. In a further method, incorporated particles, for example pigments, are heated by the action of a laser beam and, as a consequence of this, change their colour. The incorporated particles may be uniformly distributed in the body as a whole or may be present more in certain regions, for example layers, such as for example in outer layers.
A carbonization or foaming of the material, and the changing of the colour of pigments, are of course also possible by other methods known to a person skilled in the art than by means of a laser.
Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below on the basis of the drawings, which merely serve for the purpose of explanation and are not to be interpreted as restrictive. In the drawings:
a schematically shows a perspective representation of the upper side of a ninth embodiment of a container according to the invention, which is formed as a storing or transporting rack for receiving cuvettes;
b schematically shows a perspective representation of the underside of the container according to the invention according to
a-12c schematically show method steps for producing a tenth embodiment of a container according to the invention;
d schematically shows a central sectional view of the lower region of an eleventh embodiment of a container according to the invention; and
a and 13b schematically show method steps for producing a container according to the invention.
In the embodiments described below, features that are the same, similar or act in a similar way are respectively provided with the same designations.
The clearances 21 are formed as a circular area in cross section in the region of the surface of the opaque layer 2 that forms the bottom surface 100 of the container 10 and have a diameter D of 175 micrometres. The distance d between the centre points 210 of the clearances 21 formed as a circular area in cross section in the region of the surface of the opaque layer 2 is 0.35 mm. As can be seen in
a and 11b show perspective representations of a container 10′ according to the invention, which is formed as a storing or transporting rack for receiving cuvettes,
a to 12d schematically show the method steps for producing a container 10 according to the invention, which is formed as a cuvette.
After the production of the body 1 in the form of a cuvette according to
As represented in
In a further method step, a transparent protective layer 4 is arranged in the reading area 6, that is in the region of the material modifications 3 and the clearances 21 of the container 10, and in this way the tenth embodiment of a container 10 according to the invention is produced according to
a and 13b schematically show two method steps of a production method for producing a container according to the invention in the form of a cuvette, the two method steps concerning a plastics injection-moulding process. Plastics injection-moulding processes, in particular the two-component injection-moulding process shown on the basis of
Polymer is then injected into the cavity 721 via the first polymer feed 711 and the feed channel 723, so that the cavity is filled with polymer, as is represented in
In a second method step, the mould insert 73 is then displaced into a second position, as represented in
The invention described here is of course not restricted to the embodiments mentioned and a large number of variations are possible. For example, the body does not necessarily have to have a bottom and a surrounding side wall for bounding a cavity that can be filled, but may for example also be formed as a simple carrier part that is attached to any desired prior-art container, and in particular to a conventional cuvette, such as that shown in
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0904/13 | May 2013 | CH | national |
